Be forewarned, I'm not posting EVERY mail that they've sent. Simply because they have threatened me with some legal action a few times, and I don't think you need to see them. However, the newest batch is viewable!

First, they sent a mail to.... Choel, I think. (Correct me if I'm wrong Choel) Then I noticed they were at the forums. So I sent him a little mail:

Thanks for the email. I'm the product manager for Sonic Heroes andamresponsible for the marketing, PR, and dealines associated with thegame inthe US. SonicTeam personally asked me to find out more about yousite asthere are assets posted on your site that are not supposed to bepublicknowledge. That said, some of the information you have postedindicatesthat there are leaks in our systema nd information structure. Fromabusiness perspective we need to plug those leaks so that ourmarketingefforts do not become compromised. 've been poking around the sitetryingto create a recommedation for SonicTeam so that they can figure outwhatthe problem is.

We know that you guys are fans and big supporters on Sonic. I muststressthat we have no desire to cause trouble with your group. Withoutloyalfans Sonic would not have been able to maintain such a strong imageoverthe last 12 years. Thanks for your continued support.

Best regards,

Noah MuslerSega of America

my reply:

>> QUOTE

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----removed, top secret ;)---------

His reply:

>> QUOTE

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Hi RealaNightmaren,

Well shit.

Not sure what to do at this point. I want to talk with Sonic Team inperson about this before I think of a course of action. I'm on a businesstrip right now w/ Naka-san so if the occasion arises I'll ask him what hethinks, but I suspect I'll wait until I'm back in San Francisco and cantalk to SonicTeam USA since they are the ones who brought the problem to myattention.

I'll get back to you on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Thank you verymuch for the info. I really appreciate you honesty.

Rock on,

Noah

I replied to him with the news posting, offering to take down the heroes materials:

>> QUOTE

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Good morning Reala,

How's it going? I'm sorry that I have not responded to you in the lastweek or so. In addition to being damn busy as you suggested - there hasbeen quite a lot of hub-bub going on at Sega regarding the content of yoursite (I know you are aware of this based on the traffic you're receiving).For corporate reasons I needed to confer with some of the execs and SonicTeam to see what the plan was going to be.

That said - everyone does recognize the contribution to the fan culture andpopularity that your site makes. As I've said before we value our fans.In all honesty the thing that people are most concerned about is the stolencode, which some people associate with your website. Now, I'veconsistently explained to my superiors that your site does not host thecode itself - that links get posted in your message boards. Their hope isthat when such links are posted that you (and webmasters like you) willdelete the link.

At any rate, that's kind of what has been going on here. I've got to saythat we really appreciate your offer to remove the Sonic Heroes content.I'm hoping though that you do not have to remove it all - just the stuffassociated with the stolen code. Also, I do believe that it would bepossible to provide the site with some exclusive content. Off the top ofmy head I'm thinking that an interview with Yuji Naka and possibly TakashiIizuka (director of SonicTeam USA and a key player in Sonic Heroes) wouldbe appealing to your site members. It could also be great PR for us. I'msure that we could also supply you with approved art and screens as well ifyou interested.

Alright - I've got to truck - I'm down in LA getting ready for the SonicHeroes TV commercial film shoot and have a meeting in 30 minutes.Hopefully, we will talk soon. Let me know what you think about keeping theHeroes section open, getting some exclusive content...while helping usprotect our code.

The commercial went extremely well. I hope the fans dig the spot. I thinkit's really funny, but you never know what people will really think. Itshould go on air Jan 1.

No news on the other bizness. Honestly, many SOA executives were out theoffice during this short holiday week. I think we'll get down to brasstacks next week. I feel pretty confident that I can arrange the interviewsfor you though.

Alright, I'm going to stop working and enjoy the holiday myself. Have agood thanksgiving.

rock on,

Noah

So I had to ask:

>> QUOTE

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To: Musler, NoahSubject: RE: Welcome.

Ummm, are the SOA folks above you are going to want the info onthis person leaking?

his reply:

>> QUOTE

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Yeah, I'm pretty sure they'll want that info.

I'm actually working remotely. Visiting my in-laws - but folks are watching the video from my wedding and its excruciating for me. Can't stand to watch it so anytime it comes on I flee. I left the office early today to catch a plane so I logged on to see what had happened while I was away.

So... we get interviews with Naka-san and Iizuka-san in exchange for selling out the person who leaked the code? That's one hell of a decision. I hope you put a bit of thought into it before you make it, Pach.

I wonder if that guy himself can provide us with some stuff about the early Sonic games, like a prototype or something (that wouldn't hurt their sales since it would be like watching the "making of" of any old movie).

Wow, a company that didn't start off right away with a "cease and desist" letter. +1 SEGA approval rating.

--------------------

Sieg Heil. May great health bestow itself on our all knowing leader, George Bush

re-pub-li-can (n) - 1) A wealthy advocate of crony capitalism and supporterof a totalitarian state benefiting the elite. 2) An inbred redneck or member of afamily with a history of inbreeding that typically falls for any false propagandaclaiming gun rights and lower taxes.

I think this suits George Bush better than Hail to the Chief. There's three meanings to the song. PM me if you think you can guess the three meanings. Hint: Two are fairly obvious (to gamers) and the third will take an astounding amount of digging.

They're all people, too, I'd guess. Just doing their Jobs. What more would you want? Some of the Legal stuff, is expected because of business practices, too. But it's nice seeing someone not talking out of a legal-word-processor speak, like out of his ass, and had a more 'Human' approach. That can be entirely appreciated.

Thanks for sharing these with us, (I'm sure he was expecting some of these emails to be private, though. ;D Ahh well.) At least we have more of an insite onto the ordeals you were going through with the Sonic Heroes things.

Hmm, this Noah guy seems pretty nice. Of course, I'm just stating what's already said...but it's nice to know that some people actually hint that they have lives away from their jobs (such as the part where he says he's forced to watch his wedding video again). Or in other words, what Koji said. ^_^;

(22:09:48) (WoK(FC-MMBN)) i am WAY too into MMBN(22:09:56) (WoK(FC-MMBN)) I saw on the corner of the TV screen "VIETNAM"(22:09:59) (WoK(FC-MMBN)) and I read:(22:10:01) (WoK(FC-MMBN)) "NETNAVI"(22:10:20) (@ScaliServ) I'M way too horny.(22:10:27) (@ScaliServ) I say "Fox25" in the corner of the screen.(22:10:33) (@ScaliServ) and I read "CUNT"(22:10:47) (+Dude) I saw wok's "S&M" topic(22:10:51) (+Dude) and thought "SSBM"

[20:38:43] (BMP) alpha is jesus?[20:38:47] (+DF at College) O_o;[20:38:47] (BMP) i thought jesus was a chick[20:38:49] (BMP) I was like[20:38:51] (BMP) the long hair damnit[20:39:07] * choel is now known as choel[afk][20:39:08] (.Alpha) Well, I am![20:39:12] * Alpha is now known as Jesus[20:39:13] (+DF at College) If Alpha is Jesus, then is Kiko God? *continues the Kiko/Alpha parent/child idea*[20:39:14] (B0b) I saw a jesus pic with a mullet it was funny as hell[20:39:18] (.Jesus) onos killed by hitler[20:39:24] (Charlesed4) DF[20:39:31] (Charlesed4) Technically that would be a lesbian relationship =P[20:39:38] (Kiko[ToD]) ....o_o[20:39:38] (.Jesus) o_O;[20:39:43] (+DF at College) Uh...[20:39:45] * Kiko[ToD] is now known as God[20:39:49] (BMP) chuck[20:39:51] * God is now known as STFU[20:39:52] (BMP) PARENT CHILD[20:39:54] (BMP) NOT LOVER[20:39:57] * STFU is now known as Kiko[20:39:58] (Charlesed4) ooooh[20:40:03] (Charlesed4) ^_^;;[20:40:04] (Kiko) Pedo.[20:40:04] (Kiko) =P[20:40:07] (+DF at College) Yeah. Kiko is Alpha's mother. Or so they say. =P [20:40:10] (Raggak) hahaha[20:40:12] (BMP) Alpha is the daughter of kiko[20:40:14] (BMP) durrrrrr[20:40:16] (BMP) run with it[20:40:19] * Raggak throws a sponge at Charlesed4[20:40:24] (BMP) they do not make incestual love. x_X